Best Female Poser - NABBA Auckland 2009
Hi Jacquie, you are in great shape, tell us, how did you get there from where you were?
"Well wasn’t I an unhealthy chubby little dumpling that was physically falling apart when we first met! Firstly you have to believe that you can do it. Commit to your personal goal. I was given a brilliant book by a close friend called “Psycho Cybernetics” – about the importance of mental imagery etc. And when you don’t believe enough in yourself, have people around you who do. Support, especially emotional support is key to my success. So huge hugs and thanks to my wonderful supportive friends!
Secondly – trust in your nutritionalist! Jacquie knows what she is doing and it was not my job to interfere! I would tell Jacquie how I felt and she would work with me on that. Just knuckle down and do it – and it is not that hard. If it becomes tough, get tougher. Be honest in what you write down in your food diary, and trust the process.
Sorry for the occasional almond croissant Jacquie! Too many people keep on asking for advice until they hear the answer that they want. Don’t be like that. For me the climb back to getting on stage was a long and frustrating one. Jacquie and Tim kept on encouraging me, and that often meant the difference between finding the strength to go on, or settling for less. Please don’t settle for second in anything – you deserve more.
You must spend hours in the gym, what’s a typical week?
Hours in the gym can work against you. For the first time I listened to my body and trained accordingly. I used to be a chronic over-trainer – like most athletes. It is crucial to train as intensely as you can, but not to overdo things and give yourself adequate rest. Which for my type of personality is incredibly difficult to do. Most weeks I would hit the weights hard 4-5 times per week, and Jacquie would keep a close eye on my cardio. Yes, Jacquie, I did listen, and I am so over the moon with the results we achieved! Despite my misgivings (read: Jacquie must have the patience of a saint with me....) training, diet and rest gave me the best result ever.
You have incredible shape, what’s the key to your success?
Thank you for the compliment! I have always preferred the look of structure and proportion over slabs of muscle and have worked hard towards this. I cannot overemphasise the importance of training to a program which is regularly reviewed with your end goal in sight. Stick to the basics, do them well and be flexible. If it’s not working for you – then realise it won’t work for you, don’t blame anyone else. Team up with a trainer you respect and trust. Suck up as much knowledge as you can and learn how your own body works. Also do not overlook functional strength training. If you aren’t likely to perform that movement in real life – why are you trying to replicate it in the gym?
There are so many different supplements for sale, do they all work?
If they all worked, why would the marketing companies spend million’s trying to convince you that they do? Have you ever noticed that the companies that make the supplements are often the ones behind the health magazines? Once again, rely on the knowledge of an expert nutritionalist, as not all supplements are created equal, and you need different ones and different times in your training cycle. It pays to be as informed as possible, but beware that a little knowledge can be dangerous!
Which supplements do you recommend?
There are some key supplements which I don’t believe you can do without – a
high quality low calorie protein powder, a pharmaceutical grade
multi-vitamin and mineral powder and
L-Glutamine. Also, especially for women I would recommend that you get your hormones balanced. Real Nutrition have their own range of pharmaceutically correct supplements, which I recommend. It is important that you can trust you are taking the highest quality supplement possible. Talk to Jacquie – she is a mine of information on what works, what doesn’t and when you need supplementation.
You both get so lean and stay healthy? What’s the key?
Easy – I have the best nutritionalist, and I listen to her. Yes – all you doubter’s out there, you can do this and stay healthy!
Bodybuilding is a sport that is rife with drugs and steroids, what’s your take on drugs in sport?
I started bodybuilding as I have a disease that destroys muscle tissue – and I refuse to accept that is my fate. Steroids and other enhancing drugs are never going to be part of my equation. I live this lifestyle because I want to improve my health, and encourage others to do so as well. I am incredibly proud to be natural, but I do acknowledge it is all about personal choice. I know that I may not win against competitors’ who use chemical enhancement, but for me I am the ultimate winner – I have worked very hard to get to where I am – and look at the result!
We’d love to hear about your future goals, are you training for any shows this year?
I need to work closely with Jacquie and Tim to assess where to from here. I love being on stage so can’t wait to compete again! The Natural Olympia is in Australia this year, and it would be a dream come true to be up on stage with the world’s best.....woo hoo!
